Revised Jun 19 2021
The island is evidently of volcanic origin. The highest point (Look-out ridge) is about 1008 feet above the sea. Scoriae are scattered about, but not to an extent to interfere with cultivation. The soil generally is of a deep red, apparently decomposed lava, and very productive. The island rat, which is rather small, and the lizard, are the only quadrupeds indigenous to the island Only one land bird is known to breed upon the island—a small species of fly-catcher, of a dirty white and brown eolour, and three sea-birds—a white skiff (which is referred to in the laws), a brown skiff and the man-of-war bird or hawk, all of which the islanders eat.
They have three whale boats: two of them were presented by the English Government, the other was purchased from a whaler. Their canoes, about twenty in number, hold generally two persons, and are so light that one man can carry them. They can be made to last five years, by being constantly painted; but the tree from which they are made, is getting very scarce.
The culinary vegetables are kumeras, potatoes (Irish and sweet), yams, pumpkins, and two sorts of beans which they keep and dry for many months. Cabbages and onions are rather scarce. Herbs they have none. Their fruits are pines, four species of plantains, and bananas, oranges, limes melons, paw-paw apple—a fruit some what resembling a small English apple, and cocoa-nuts. St. Pierre, in his book upon the works of nature, mentions that he never heard of any accident occurring from the fall of a cocoa-nut from off the tree during his lifetime, or even ever read of such a thing; but one of these rare—I may say very rare—occurrences happened here lately, and nearly killed Mrs. Nobbs. The indigenous Flora of the island is not rich, but many valuable trees and plants have been imported from Tahiti. Of land shells there are only three species, and those very minute. Of sea shells I collected about forty species; but many more are probably to be found, as I was only able to search a part of two sides of the island, having been obliged to take advantage of the arrival of the barqueColonist, before completing my exploration. There are but few insects to be seen; but at certain times the caterpillars are very destructive, making their appearance in large swarms.
There are but four head of cattle upon the island H. M. S. Daphne, Captain Fanshaw, in August 1849, landed a bull and cow from Valparaiso: the cow has since calved; but the bull was unfortunately killed, as mentioned in my diary. Two heifers and a young bull were sent by some gentlemen from New Zealand as a present; but, on account of the tedious voyage, the captain of the vessel in which they were shipped, found it necessary to kill one, that fodder enough might be left for the other two. Owing to contrary winds, he was obliged to run into Tahiti, where the cattle were reshipped on board an American whaler, the master of which very kindly gave a passage to their destination. I observed many goats running wild, and about a score of rabbits around the houses, which were brought by H. M. S. Daphne in 1849. Fowls are very numerous. Pigs scarce. Cats numerous and wild in the bush, and are encouraged so kill the rats, although they probably destroy more fowls than rats. There are many dogs, useless animals enough, and very currish in appearance.